M4.3 earthquake — 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga
An magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga on Sep 20, 2026 at 17:17 UTC. The epicenter was at a depth of 168 km — an intermediate-depth earthquake. Intermediate quakes spread their energy over a wider area and are often felt across a broad region.
Event data
| Magnitude | M4.3 |
|---|---|
| Depth | 168.2 km |
| Coordinates | -16.776, -174.641 |
| Time | Sep 20, 17:17 UTC |
| Location | 128 km SW of Hihifo, Tonga |
| USGS event ID | us7000tisg |
What this magnitude typically means
Light earthquakes are felt by most people nearby but rarely cause damage. Distance, depth, and soil type determine whether a quake feels sharp or barely noticeable. Tremor does not compute a single local shaking figure here, because how strong a quake feels at any address depends on distance, depth and local geology — open the interactive globe to explore the ShakeMap and estimated intensity.
Nearby recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Distance | Time (UTC) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.2 | 101 km | Sep 20, 13:00 UTC | 104 km W of Hihifo, Tonga |
| M4.3 | 177 km | Sep 24, 00:53 UTC | 282 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga |
| M5.7 | 211 km | Sep 23, 14:41 UTC | 180 km NW of Hihifo, Tonga |
| M4.9 | 242 km | Sep 23, 17:20 UTC | 193 km SE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna |
Earthquake activity in this area
Source: USGS earthquake catalog. Automated readings may be revised. Not for emergency use.